CHENLU builds 3 axle and 5 axle curtain side semi trailers for palletized and packaged freight: side curtains for forklift loading, rear doors for docks, factory-direct with a 2-year warranty.
Quick answer: A curtain side semi trailer, also called a curtainsider or tautliner, is a covered cargo trailer with a roof, a rigid front bulkhead and sliding fabric curtains along both sides. Draw the curtain back and a forklift can load pallets anywhere along the body; close it and the cargo travels covered. Most builds also have rear doors for dock loading.
Curtainsiders suit palletized and packaged dry freight: beverages, packaged food and consumer goods, building materials, paper and bagged products. They load faster than a box van because the whole side opens, and they keep weather off the cargo, which a flatbed cannot.
12,750 mm long, 2,600 mm wide, side curtains and double rear doors.
View Model
16,500 mm long, five axles on air suspension, side curtains and rear doors.
View Model| Parameter | 3 Axle Curtain Side | 5 Axle Curtain Side |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 12,750 mm | 16,500 mm |
| Overall width | 2,600 mm | 2,550 mm |
| Overall height | 4,400 mm max. | 4,000 mm |
| Internal size | 12,440 × 2,510 × 2,680 mm | Confirmed with your pallet plan |
| Axles | 3 | 5, 1,310 mm apart |
| Suspension | To order | Air suspension (as built); other types on request |
| Loading | Side curtains + double rear doors | Side curtains + double rear doors |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Curtain side | Box van (dry van) | Flatbed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side loading | Yes, full length | No | Yes |
| Weather cover | Roof and curtains | Rigid, lockable walls | None (tarp only) |
| Best for | Covered pallets that need fast side loading | High-value or theft-sensitive cargo | Oversize or crane-loaded cargo |
| Load restraint | Straps or blocking; curtains do not restrain cargo | Walls plus straps | Chains and straps |
Count the pallets you move per trip. The 16.5 m five-axle body takes more pallet positions than the 12.75 m three-axle model, but check that 16.5 m semi trailers are allowed on your roads.
Payload is set by axle and tyre ratings, the tractor and your country's axle-load limits, not by body volume. Send the destination and loaded weight and we rate the trailer for your route.
Side curtains suit yards where a forklift works alongside the trailer; rear doors suit loading docks. Both CHENLU models have both, so you can use either.
Air suspension rides smoother on long paved routes. Mechanical suspension is simpler to repair where air-suspension parts are hard to find. Choose axle brands you can service locally, such as FUWA or BPW.
Standard curtains keep weather out but are not a load-restraint system. Plan straps, blocking or another restraint for every load.
CHENLU builds curtain side trailers in its own factory in Heze, Shandong. Recent builds include a five-axle curtain side semi trailer with white curtains, air suspension and rear double doors prepared for Ghana in October 2026, and a three-axle unit prepared for South Africa. Trailers ship by RO-RO, bulk vessel or flat rack depending on the destination port. Read Buying a Semi Trailer from China: 12 Questions Answered for the full process.
A covered semi trailer with a roof, rigid front bulkhead and sliding fabric curtains on both sides, so pallets can be loaded from the side by forklift. It is also called a curtainsider or tautliner.
A curtain side trailer opens along its whole side for forklift loading; a dry van has rigid walls and loads only from the rear. Choose a dry van for lockable, theft-sensitive cargo and a curtainsider for fast side loading.
It depends on your payload and axle-load limits. CHENLU builds a 12.75 m three-axle model and a 16.5 m five-axle model with air suspension.
Yes. Curtain colour, logo printing, roof opening and body height can be specified, with total height confirmed on the approved drawing.
No. Standard curtains close the body but do not restrain cargo. Use straps, blocking or another restraint suited to the load.
Cargo type, pallet size and quantity, loaded weight, loading method, destination country or port and order quantity.
Flatbed & Container Trailer | Lowboy Trailer | Dump & Tipper Trailer | Tanker Trailer
Tell us your cargo, pallet count, loaded weight and destination country. Our engineers will recommend the length, axles and suspension and send a factory-direct quote.
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